CESTAT allowed appellant's appeal regarding classification of...

CESTAT allowed appellant's appeal regarding classification of manufactured goods including Perk, ULTA Perk, Perk Poppers and Wafer Uncoated Reject under Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985. The tribunal held that products qualify for classification under ETI 1905 32 90 rather than ETI 1905 32 11 as claimed by department. Products were determined to be "wafer biscuits" rather than "communion wafers" since they neither possess characteristics of communion wafers nor serve Eucharist purposes. Consequently, appellant entitled to benefit of exemption notification and reduced excise duty rate. Department's demand for excise duty, interest recovery, and penalty imposition cannot be sustained. Principal Commissioner's order dated 12.12.2019 set aside. Appeal allowed with appellant receiving favorable classification and duty exemption benefits.